Strictly Come Dancing 2023 live — Strictly’s dances revealed for semi finals as Nigel Harman is brought to tears on air
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STRICTLY Come Dancing's Nigel Harman and his twinkle-toed partner Katya Jones have quit the show as explained on Saturday night.
Nigel, known for his role in Casualty and aged 50, was all set to Charleston his way through Step in Time from the beloved Disney classic Mary Poppins in Saturday night's live quarter-finals on BBC1.
Unfortunately, Nigel has had to bow out of the competition due to a rib injury, meaning this week's elimination was cancelled. This means the remaining star-studded line-up - Ellie Leach, Annabel Croft, Layton Williams and Bobby Brazier - shimmied their way into the next round.
The pair could be seen holding back tears as they paid tribute to each-other, before Katya ultimately burst into tears at the emotional display.
It comes as the semi final dances were revealed with Layton taking on the Rumba and the Charleston whilst Ellie will perform a Cha-Cha and a Couples' Choice dance.
Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
Crew members 'relieved' amid Nigel Harman exit
Strictly Come Dancing crew members were relieved following the exit of Nigel Harman, a source claims.
A TV insider said: “Nigel takes himself very seriously as a performer and throws himself heart and soul into things.
“So obviously he’s very emotional if things don’t go as he hoped. That often means that he can be like a bear with a sore head backstage.
“Viewers got a glimpse of that when he received disappointing scores for their quickstep in Blackpool.
“The crew and pros on the show are like a close family and the celebrities are welcomed into that. But if someone upsets that long-standing dynamic it can create bad feeling.
“Despite this everyone on the show also felt huge sympathy for Nigel having to leave the competition under such difficult circumstances.”
What happens to the scores from this week?
With no public vote or elimination this week due to Nigel Harman’s withdrawal, it was announced that the judges scores for the dances would be carried over to next week.
At the beginning of Saturday’s show, host Claudia Winkleman said: “As you can see we only have four couples. Unfortunately Nigel has sustained an injury which means he is unable to perform in tonight’s show and has had to withdraw from the competition.
“That means there will be no public vote tonight and no elimination this weekend.”
In a post on Instagram on Saturday, the show wished Harman a “speedy recovery” and said the couple will be “very much missed by our entire Strictly family.”
Leaderboard after the weekends show:
Layton and Nikita – 40 points
Ellie and Vito – 36 points
Bobby and Dianne – 34 points
Annabel and Johannes – 33 points
Ellie Leach fave to win
Ellie Leach is the clear favourite to win this year's Strictly Come Dancing, according to Ladbrokes.
The bookies now have the Coronation Street star priced at just 2/7 to scoop the Glitterball Trophy, with Annabel Croft seemingly her only challenger for the crown at 4/1, while every other celeb is priced at 16/1 or bigger.
Elsewhere, it looks like it could be curtains for Nigel Harman this weekend, with the former EastEnders star currently favourite to be sent packing at 5/4.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "Coronation Street fans will soon be celebrating Ellie Leach's success on the dancefloor, if the latest odds are anything to go by. She's fast becoming a shoo-in for this year's Glitterball Trophy."
He added: "It's misery for EastEnders fans, though, with Nigel and Bobby seemingly set to do battle for the boot this weekend."
Who has left Strictly so far?
Every Sunday, the BBC show waves goodbye to one more celebrity.
This week Nigel has left due to an injury.
Here’s who has left the competition so far:
Week eleven - Nigel Harman (Injury)
Week ten – Angela Scanlon
Week nine – Angela Rippon
Week eight: Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Week seven: Adam Thomas
Week six: Zara McDermott
Week five: Eddie Kadi
Week four: Jody Cundy
Week three: Nikita Kanda
Week two: Les Dennis
Week one: No one
Who could still win Strictly?
Strictly Come Dancing 2023 started off with 15 famous faces.
Every week they are slowly whittled down until there are three left in the grand final.
The stars who are still in the competition are:
- Actor and model Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell
- Actress Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
- Actress Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
- Tennis ace Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe
Semi final dances revealed
Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell will take on the Paso Doble and the Quickstep in the semi final.
Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola will perform the Cha-Cha and a Couples' Choice dance.
Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe will take on the Salsa and perform a Viennese Waltz as well.
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin will dance a Rumba and the Charleston.
Fans slam ‘boring’ results show
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman revealed Bobby Brazier, Layton Williams, Annabel Croft and Ellie Leach have all been given a free pass to the semi-final after Nigel Harman quit.
The former EastEnders actor was forced to withdraw from the competition after he fell during rehearsals and injured his rib.
This meant Sunday's results show was thrown into chaos - as bosses scrambled to fill the half-hour slot.
Many fans were unimpressed by tonight's "filler" episode and said it should have been scrapped altogether.
One wrote: "Why am I even watching this? Should have watched Gino Da Bladdy Campo dicking about in Italy on ITV1."
What is Shirley Ballas’s net worth?
Shirley’s estimated net worth is around £4M.
Shirley joined Strictly in 2017 and was paid £180,000 by the BBC for that series.
This was £70,000 short of the amount given to her predecessor Len Goodman for the same role.
However, in 2022 The Sun revealed how she now gets paid £500K per Strictly series.
Why AJ Odudu pulled out before the 2021 Strictly final
AJ Odudu quickly became a fan favourite when she competed in the 2021 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Many thought she might life the glitterball trophy – but her time was cut short.
The TV presenter had to pull out of the competition alongside her professional partner Kai Widdrington due to an ankle injury.
This came as a disappointment to viewers as many hailed her as their favourite.
How to watch Strictly Come Dancing abroad
You’ll first need to download a VPN, such as or onto the device you’ll be streaming iPlayer from.
Then, load the VPN and select a UK server, which will (legally) reroute your IP address to the UK.
You’ll then be able to head to iPlayer and stream Strictly Come Dancing with no trouble.
Baby joy for Strictly star
Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Taylor has given birth to a baby boy.
The comedian went into early labour - forcing her to pull out of her scheduled Royal Variety Performance gig.
Ellie, 40, shared a snap of herself glammed up for the Royal Variety Performance, before revealing that her baby had other plans.
She wrote: "This is the fabulous outfit I was meant to be wearing tonight while doing stand-up at the Royal Variety Performance in front of 4,000 people, including Prince and Princess of Wales.
"Swipe to see the actual outfit I’ll be wearing tonight due to the surprise early arrival of my own little HRH…"
Claudia Winkleman quits BBC Radio 2 show
Strictly presenter Claudia Winkleman has revealed she is quitting her BBC Radio 2 show next year.
Announcing her departure live on air, she apologised to listeners for what she called "such a boring cliché".
But she added: "Time is going too fast, my daughter is getting ready to leave home and she was three about five minutes ago.
"I still have a little one who wants to be with me, don't know how long that will last, and I just need to be at home more.
"So my news at 10 is that I am leaving."
Romesh Ranganathan, the actor and comedian, will take over the slot after Winkleman steps down in March.
Claudia Winkleman announced her departure from her BBC Radio 2 show live on air. Credit: Splash Meet the Strictly Christmas line-up
It’s nearly December, which means the annual Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special is just weeks away.
This year the BBC have brought in stars from the world of sports, music and television.
Here are all the celebs taking part:
- Danny Cipriani
- Tillie Amartey
- Keisha Buchanan
- Dan Snow
- Sally Nugent
- Jamie Borthwick
What TV shows has Tess hosted?
After being encouraged by an American pal, Tess began interviewing celebs during red carpet events in the late 90s.
She sent a tape as an audition for Channel 4‘s The Big Breakfast in 2000 and this led her to host their Find Me A Model competition.
After she landed hosting roles on Make Me A Supermodel, SMTV Live and Back To Reality, before bagging her Strictly Come Dancing gig in 2004.
Also, Tess also fronts BBC’s Children In Need.
What did Angela Scanlon say last weekend?Speaking after being dumped from Strictly last weekend, Angela Scanlon said she was “gutted” to say goodbye, but her experience on the show was “incredible.”
She said: “It’s been honestly incredible, I’m gutted, really gutted that it’s finished now, but it has been the most wonderful experience.
“I have made the best friend in this man (Carlos).
“We have had so much fun, he is such an incredible guy.
“He has supported me and picked me up and made me laugh so much.
“I don’t know what to say, it’s been magical honestly – all of those people up there.
“My husband at home, my two little girls and all my friends.”
Ellie Leach addresses Vito Coppola romance rumours
The Coronation Street actress, 22, has finally had her say on the speculation.
It comes after fans were convinced the pair are secretly dating.
Who has left Strictly so far?
Every Sunday, the BBC show waves goodbye to one more celebrity.
This week Nigel left due to an injury.
Here’s who has left the competition so far:
Week ten: Angela Scanlon
Week nine: Angela Rippon
Week eight: Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Week seven: Adam Thomas
Week six: Zara McDermott
Week five: Eddie Kadi
Week four: Jody Cundy
Week three: Nikita Kanda
Week two: Les Dennis
Week one: No one
Red-hot favourite to win Strictly
Ellie Leach remains the favourite to win Strictly after Nigel Harman was forced to withdraw from the show due to injury.
According to betting company Coral, Ellie is a 1-5 favourite to take out the Glitterball trophy.
Meanwhile, Annabel Croft is second favourite at 5-1, with Layton Williams 12-1 and Bobby Brazier the outsider at 20-1.
"Nigel Harman was the outsider to win the show going into this weekend, so his unfortunate exit hasn't really affected the odds, with Ellie Leach remaining a red-hot favourite to lift the glitterball," said Coral's David Stevens.
Semifinal dances revealed
One thing we did learn on tonight's show was the dances the couples will be performing next week.
Each couple will have two dances:
Layton and Nikita - Rumba and Charleston
Ellie and Vito - Cha Cha and Couple's Choice
Bobby and Dianne - Paso and Quickstep
Annabel and Johannes - Salsa and Viennese Waltz
Preview of next week's semifinal
The show concludes with a preview of next week's semifinal, where the final four couples will each dance twice.
This week's dance leaderboard will also be carried over to next week, so it's going to be a big one.
And that wraps up the strange results filler show.
Here's a reminder of the leaderboard:
Layton and Nikita - 40 points
Ellie and Vito - 36 points
Bobby and Dianne - 34 points
Annabel and Johannes - 33 points
Fans slam 'dull' results show
Strictly fans on social media have slammed tonight's "dull" results show.
Many questioned the point of the show, with no dance off and no results to be revealed.
"It is a bit dull just watching them fill time tonight," said one fan on X, formerly Twitter.
"Lets fill 40 minutes with reminding you what happened last night,"; added another.
Another fan said: "What a waste of a time slot; all this just so Joss Stone can perform. Just had to remind myself there’s no dance off. Doh!"
"What’s the point of tonight’s #Strictly if no one is getting booted off?" asked another.
Performance from Joss Stone
Next it's time for tonight's musical performance.
Joss Stone performs a song from the new musical The Time Travellers Wife.
Special shoutouts
Layton and Nikita receive a special video message from a celebrity fan in Billie Piper.
"I think you guys are a knockout," says Piper. "Take care, love what you're doing."
Layton gets emotional and sends his love back to the actress and former singer.
Annabel and Johannes also get a celebrity shoutout, this time from adventure TV star Bear Grylls.
Plenty of couch time with hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman tonight, with time to burn on this no-result results show.
Recapping last night's show
We start by reliving Layton and Nikita's perfect performance.
"Definitely one of the most magical moments ever. My mum was in the crowd and she was proud," Layton says about his performance.
Ellie was "absolutely happy" with her score of 36 (four nines).
Both Bobby and Annabel showed growth with their performances.
Last night's leaderboard:
Layton and Nikita - 40 points
Ellie and Vito - 36 points
Bobby and Dianne - 34 points
Annabel and Johannes - 33 points
Strictly kicks off
Planet Earth has wrapped up on BBC One and it's time for the Strictly results show.
The show starts with a My Fair Lady routine from the pro dancers to cap off Musicals week.
Another reminder: There's no dance off today as Nigel withdrew from the competition with an injury.
Some fans on social media are confused as to the point of tonight's episode, with one saying on X: "Bit weird having a results show with no actual results."